What is Gastritis?
Gastritis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the gastric mucosa. It may affect a part of the internal lining of the stomach or the whole of the gastric mucosa may get inflamed.
Depending upon the onset of the condition, gastritis may occur acutely or in chronic condition, it may occur as a result of a long standing irritation of the gastric lining of the stomach.
What is the Cause of Gastritis?
Gastritis commonly occurs as a result of the infection of a bacteria that resides in the antrum of the stomach in the initial stages of the condition. It is known as Helicobacter pylori.
Other common cause of gastritis are:-
- Use of NSAIDs (Non – steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Infections
- Drugs like cocaine
- Alcohol abuse
- Allergic reaction
- Stress
- Trauma
- Food poisoning etc.
Common Symptoms of Gastritis
The most common symptoms of gastritis include:-
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bitter taste in mouth
- Heart burn
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Belching
- Dyspepsia
- Indigestion
Ayurvedic Point of View on Gastritis
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine and has been followed in India since time immemorial.
According to Ayurveda, gastritis can be compared to “Amlapitta” in Ayurveda.
Acidity or gastritis commonly occurs due to the imbalance of the pitta body energy. It is one of the three body energies according to Ayurveda which are to be balanced in order to maintain a healthy body.
Pitta is the body energy that has a predominant fire element, water being the other predominant element.
Pitta is the main force that balances the digestive secretions in the human body. When due to the vitiation of the pitta body energy, there occurs an over secretion of the acidic content of the gastric juices, that a condition called as gastritis occurs.
It is known as “Amla pitta” in Ayurveda.
What are the Consequences of Prolonged Gastritis?
Formation of gastric ulcers is a consequence of the prolonged irritation of the lining of the stomach and gastric mucosa.
Can Gastritis be Completely Cured?
Gastritis can be completely cured if the condition is diagnosed in the initial stages of the disease and proper treatment procedures are followed.
An appropriate diet is very essential for managing the gastric mucosal inflammation and all kinds of food products that may cause irritation in the stomach lining are to be strictly avoided.
How to Control Gastritis Naturally?
In mild forms of the condition, light dietary modifications and change of sleeping habits can help to resolve the condition to a large extent.
A doctor’s advice should be sought if the symptoms are not manageable with the above changes and interfere with day to day activities.
If there is trouble sleeping at night or severe pain in abdomen or continuous vomiting and nausea, an immediate visit to your health care provider becomes necessary.
What Dietary and Lifestyle Changes are Required to Prevent Gastritis?
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Avoid spicy and heavy food products e.g. processed, fried food
- Avoid sodas and soft drinks
- Avoid any food that can cause an allergic reaction in the form of gastritis
- Exercise regularly, as per your body’s comfort level
- Never overeat, keep a check on the size of the portions that you take for every meal.
- Stop using medicines that cause gastritis as a side effects, consult your doctor for safer alternatives.
- Take proper antacids to neutralize the acid secretions in the stomach
- Take coconut water daily to neutralize the acidic secretions of the stomach.
- Avoid using acidic food products
- Avoid dairy products if you have lactose intolerance
Can Dairy Products cause Gastritis?
Dairy products are a common cause of gastritis in people who have lactose intolerance. Our body produces enzyme lactase for digesting the milk sugars. But this is limited to young age after which as we grow, this enzyme is no longer produced in the body. Other enzymes however take over the function of digesting lactose sugar found in milk and all dairy products.
Now, there are a few people who are not able to digest milk and some of the milk made products. In them, gastritis occurs as a result of the indigestion of milk.
It is important to know whether you are able to digest milk products properly or not in order to deduce milk intolerance as the possible cause of gastritis.
Herbal Remedies for Gastritis by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda offers four amazing herbal products – Digestion support, Vara Churna, Amalaki Rasayan, Gotukola capsules – to the manage the problem of chronic gastritis. These herbal products are prepared by the combination of various herbs which are cooling in nature and support the good digestive health.
1. Digestion Support
Digestion support is quite beneficial to manage the problem of chronic gastritis. This product is a wonderful herbal formulation for chronic gastritis by Planet Ayurveda. It is the combination of various herbs which are discussed below:-
Ingredients:-
- Amla (Emblica officinalis)
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
- Bahera (Terminalia bellerica)
- Sounf (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Jeerak (Cyminum cuminum)
- Pippali (Piper longum)
- Dhania (Coriander sativum)
Benefits:-
- Amla (Emblica officinalis) – This herb helps to balance the vata, pitta and kapha thus provides the relief in chronic gastritis.
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – Haritaki is an important ingredient of digestion support. It helps to maintain the overall health of digestive system. Thus it is quite beneficial to manage the problem of chronic gastritis.
- Bahera (Terminalia bellerica) – It is also good to improve the digestion process and also maintains the stomach pH.
- Sounf (Foeniculum vulgare) – Sounf is also beneficial to manage the problem of chronic gastritis and provides the relief in the symptoms associated with chronic gastritis like abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
- Jeerak (Cyminum cuminum) – This herb pacifies the pitta dosha thus very effective to manage the chronic gastritis.
- Pippali (Piper longum) – It supports the healthy digestive system.
- Dhania (Coriander sativum) – Dhania has great medicinal importance in Ayurveda. It helps to provide relief in symptoms associated with chronic gastritis like abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Dosage – One capsule two times in a day with plain water after meals.
2. Vara Churna
Vara churna is combination of three herbs .This herbal product is available in the form of powder and completely safe for use.
Ingredients:-
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
- Bhibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
- Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
Benefits:-
Vara churna is an amazing formulation for chronic gastritis by Planet Ayurveda. Herbs used in the formulation of vara churna, have cooling effects on body and helps to pacify the aggravated pitta dosha.
Dosage – One teaspoonful twice in a day after meals with plain water.
3. Amalaki Rasayan
Planet Ayurveda offers the amalaki rasayan to manage the problem of chronic gastritis. This herbal product is available in the form of capsules and free from any colors, preservatives and chemicals. Amalaki rasayan is prepared from the pure extract of herb Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).
Benefits:-
Amalaki is commonly known as Indian gooseberry and has the great medicinal importance in Ayurveda. It has anti-inflammatory properties which helps to provide relief in abdominal pain associated with chronic gastritis. It also supports the good digestive health and very effective to resolve the problem of chronic gastritis.
Dosage – One capsule two times in a day with plain water after meals.
4. Gotukola Capsules
Gotukula capsules are the wonderful herbal formulation for chronic gastritis by Planet Ayurveda. There capsules are prepared from the pure extracts of herb, gotukola (Centella asiatica).
Benefits:-
Gotukola (Centella asiatica) has the great medicinal importance in Ayurveda. It helps to pacify pitta dosha and also provides relief in the symptoms associated with chronic gastritis like abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloating and indigestion.
Dosage – One capsule two times in a day with plain water after meals.
